Slack, a platform used by nearly a million organisations globally, including 80% of the Fortune 100, facilitates seamless communication and collaboration. Acquired by Salesforce in 2021 for £27.7 billion, Slack has since become a pivotal part of Salesforce’s Customer 360 platform, enhancing its functionalities. Frequently rated as one of the top communication tools, Slack is lauded for its user-friendly interface and robust integration capabilities.

Bryd, founded a year ago by former Slack executives Laurence Fitch and Jacob Campbell, aimed to fill the gap in the market for dedicated Slack-certified partners. The company was established to help businesses unlock Slack's full potential, a vision shaped by the founders' deep understanding of the platform from their time at Slack.

Tackling the Slack utilisation challenge

Bryd's inception was driven by a clear goal: to maximise the utility of Slack for businesses. With first-hand experience of Slack's internal deployment, the founders had an unparalleled insight into the platform's true capabilities when thoughtfully and intentionally implemented. As Slack evolves into a powerful AI-enabled productivity platform, introducing features such as Slack Lists, Canvas, and native AI, it offers companies the opportunity to consolidate tools, reduce costs, and streamline operations. Despite these advancements, many users still view Slack mainly as a messaging tool, thereby missing out on its extensive functionalities and integration possibilities with existing toolsets.

"Our mission is to redefine how businesses view and utilise Slack, transforming it from a simple messaging tool to a comprehensive productivity platform," said Laurence Fitch, Co-Founder of Bryd. "This funding will allow us to expand our footprint, services, and product roadmap, helping even more companies globally unlock Slack's full potential."

Bryd addresses these gaps through a suite of specialised Slack services and tech:

• Advisory and Professional Services: Expert guidance to help businesses maximise Slack's capabilities and integration into their technology stack
• Managed Services: Comprehensive support and management for seamless ongoing Slack operations and rolling out Slack-specific use cases across the business
• Bespoke Slack Applications: Tailored Slack SaaS applications to meet unique business needs that can be deployed on-premise or cloud-hosted by Bryd

Global Reach and Impact

Bryd, founded in Singapore, has swiftly established a significant global presence. In a short time, it has expanded its services to 25 countries, tackling large projects that address complex challenges in Slack consulting, training, implementation, support, and custom application development. This global traction reflects the strong demand for Bryd's expertise, with notable clients such as January Capital (Singapore), Pavilion (United States), and Kaizen Gaming (Greece).

The recent $300,000 seed funding injection is set to further accelerate Bryd's growth. The company is expanding its operations from its Singapore headquarters with strategic hires, including ex-Slack go-to-market experts Jack Ardagh in London and Sara Dillon in New York. These additions are aimed at driving business expansion and partnerships across the EMEA and Americas regions.

Aligning with AI Trends

Recent research by Slack highlighted that 77% of workers believe AI will significantly enhance workplace productivity, while 90% of executives are already exploring or implementing AI solutions. Bryd's focus on integrating both native and third-party AI systems into Slack aligns perfectly with these trends, helping businesses stay ahead in the productivity curve.

The Slack State of Work 2023 report also indicated that 84% of workers feel more productive with flexible hybrid working conditions enabled by collaborative tools like Slack. Bryd's services are designed to optimise Slack’s capabilities, supporting this shift towards more adaptable and efficient hybrid work environments for globally dispersed teams.

Innovative Applications for Enhanced Productivity

Bryd has recently launched its first bespoke SaaS application on the Slack app store: an automated Onboarding App. This tool streamlines the onboarding process for new employees by automating tasks such as paperwork, account setup, and access to essential resources. It includes task checklists, welcome messages, Slack training, and introductions to team members, ensuring a smooth integration into the company’s workflow and culture.

Future Plans

Looking ahead, Bryd plans to continue evolving its product roadmap, releasing new services and applications to meet its customers' growing needs. The company is committed to scaling its team globally, ensuring it remains at the forefront of innovation in the Slack ecosystem. Additionally, Bryd aims to expand its consulting and implementation capabilities across the Salesforce suite and other productivity software, solidifying its position as a leader in the productivity space.